The genus Columnea is almost
universally characterized by fleshy indehiscent fruit -- berries that do not
split open (dehisc) when ripe. If not eaten by birds or insects, the
berries soften, rot and eventually dry up. The exception is this species,
where the fleshy fruit splits open and displays the seed mass in a colorful
fashion. This phenomenon occurs in a number of other genera,
including Drymonia.